An example of roof panels for a residential solar energy system.

Andrew Koyaanisqatsi is passionate about solar energy. You could say he was raised on it. Growing up in the 1970′s, his family home used solar energy to heat their water. His environmental awareness, which began at a young age, has shaped his adult life. Seeking to marry his love of the environment with his more spiritual nature, Andrew changed his last name to Koyanisquatsi, a Hopi word meaning “that quality of life that calls for another way of living” in 1984. His next move was to found Solar Energy Solutions, based in Portland, Ore., in 1987.

The mission behind Solar Energy Solutions is simple: to minimize, through renewable energy means, the impact humans have on the environment. But achieving this end isn’t always easy. According to Andrew, “In our industry, we feel the pressure to compete with more traditional forms of energy (gas, electric). Alternative energies, however, aren’t subsidized by the federal government anywhere near the degree of traditional forms of fuel, so the playing field isn’t level.”

That’s why the cost to install a solar energy system can be significantly higher than other available forms of energy. Yet, despite this potential barrier, residential interest in alternative renewable energies is growing. In fact, Solar Energy Solutions has seen a 20 percent increase in business each year for the past four years.

One reason for the increased interest is the technological improvements made in the solar energy industry. Today, panels are sleek and modern in appearance and carry two to three times the energy production per square foot to panels of bygone years. Another reason for the up tick in interest is heightened awareness of the environment and the human impact upon it. Plus, it’s hip to be green.

If you’re considering “going solar,” you can start with a simple system and build from there. Many opt for solar water heating first to “test the waters.” (Sorry, couldn’t resist.) Two 4 by 8 foot solar panels are mounted on a south- or west-facing part of your roof and an 80-gallon solar preheat water tank is installed near your existing water heater. This solar preheat tank takes the stress and strain off of your existing hot water heater by preheating the water in the solar preheat tank using the solar panels on your sunny roof. This is how your hot water energy bills are reduced.

Instead of your hot water heater cycling through to heat up water that’s basically snow melt from Mt Hood, the water delivered to the hot water heater tank is already preheated and hot… compliments of the Sun! The best part is, the solar water heating system can work with virtually any type of hot water heater – even certain “on-demand” water heaters.

So what’s a system like this going to cost you? It depends upon the complexity of the installation and the type of system you install, but solar water heating systems run from $6,000 to $16,000. Yes, it’s a bit pricey, but if you consider there will be no maintenance required on the system and you get your hot water for free (think lower gas or electric bills), the overall savings becomes more obvious. With the never ending rising of traditional energy costs, and the detrimental effect conventional means of heating hot water has on the environment, the payback is obvious.

Governments and other agencies are also stepping in to help ease the cost of solar systems. In Oregon, three entities incent the installation of solar hot water systems and solar electric systems:

1. The Energy Trust of Oregon – funded by monies it receives from PGE, Pacific Power and Northwest Natural Gas as well as many smaller utilities.
2. The Oregon Department of Energy – has been offering tax credits to Oregonians to encourage the adoption of solar energy since 1986.
3. The Federal Government – is offering an uncapped 30 percent federal income tax credit.

Because of these incentives, the cost of a typical solar water heating system can be drastically reduced! Of course, these incentives aren’t just for solar water heating; they apply to all forms of solar energy. This means that now is the best time to consider “going solar!”

Still not convinced? How about these additional economic benefits?

• Solar energy is a risk-free and tax-free investment. Putting your money into traditional investments is risky, or at the very least questionable. Then, if it does yield a return, it’s taxed. Solar, on the other hand, is a risk free investment with guaranteed returns because energy prices will increase as much as four times today’s prices over a 10-year period. By going solar, the energy and money you save is tax-free.
• By installing a solar system, your home will increase in value by the cost of said system. Because of all of the entities encouraging you to go solar with large incentives, you’re only paying a percentage of the total system cost. So right from the start, even before all of the energy savings, you’re doubling your money.
• Your roof will last longer because it will be protected (with a whole-house installation) as well as be cooler because it will be shaded by the solar panels.
• Since little to no maintenance is required on solar systems, you have more time to do other important things…like gazing fondly at your low energy bills and your rooftop money-making machine.

Originally posted 2009-11-02 09:09:48. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

When you are remodelling a room, one of the big challenges is deciding which window treatments will suit it best. There are a huge number of options out there but the first question you need to answer is whether you would prefer blinds or curtains.

The answer will depend a lot upon the purpose of the room. For example your living room will probably benefit most from curtains as they will give it a softer and warmer atmosphere. In contrast your kitchen will probably do better with wooden Venetian blinds as they will give you a lot of light and space as well as being less vulnerable to moisture and mould.  To help make the decision easier I’ve composed a list of the pros and cons of the different types of window treatment below.
Having said that if you choose blinds that will add another layer of complication as there is a large variety of styles and materials. Slatted blinds such as Venetian and vertical blinds are typically composed of overlapping slats made of plastic, aluminium or wood. Venetian and mini blinds are made of horizontal slats whereas vertical blinds (as the name suggests) are made of vertical slats thought vertical blinds rarely seen within the home.

Roller Blinds do largely what they say. They are made out of a fabric sheet that rolls up out the way when not in use. They are great for bedrooms in urban areas as they can be made out of blackout fabric ensuring that external lights don’t disturb your sleep. Roman blinds look similar to roller blinds but are either made of tightly woven slats or contain slats within the fabric meaning that they fold up rather than roll.

Slatted Blinds (Venetian and Vertical blinds)

Pros:

• Slatted blinds stack when drawn, ensuring that they take up less space.
• They offer the greatest degree of control over external light.
• They will fit in with a wide variety of different colour schemes without much work.

Cons:

• They require frequent cleaning and dusting.
• The slatted design allows light to get through even when fully closed.
• They don’t retain heat very well.
• The individual slats and the lift cords can break very easily.

Roman and Roller Blinds

Pros:

• Can be used to block all light.
• They take up the least amount of space.
• They don’t require regular cleaning.

Cons:

• Difficult to clean unless the fabric is coated with wipe down surface.

Curtains: Curtains can frame the window to create a striking and sophisticated effect as well as drawing attention to the view. The Fabrics they are made of come in a variety of thicknesses, from see through net curtains which offer little more than decoration to heavy drapes.

Pros:

• Curtains are aesthetically striking and can give the room an air of sophistication.
• In winter curtains provide the best insulation.
• They come in a wide range of colours and patterns.

Cons:

• Curtains take up more space than blinds.
• In rooms like bathrooms and kitchens there is a risk of mould and staining due to the moisture in the air.
• Kids can hide behind large curtains.

I hope this guide helps anyone trying to redecorate choose their window treatments. Done well both blinds and curtains can add a lot to a room.

Author Bio
This is a guest post by Daniel Frank a UK blogger writing on behalf of wooden Venetian blind specialist wooden blinds direct

If you have any elderly or disabled living with you or are regularly visited by someone who is, then making your home easily accessible will make their life safer and easier. Whilst accessibility might seem to only be an issue for people suffering serious disabilities, you will be surprised at how much of a difference it can make. For example I’m sure many families have struggled with getting a pram or furniture through a narrow doorway fronted with steps.

Simple Steps to Improve Acccessibility
There are a number of trip hazards that you may not notice or be aware off. In particular throw rugs which can catch or slip under people. They can be simply taped down to prevent slippage but still be easily moved for cleaning. This step is particularly important if you have anyone with a walker or a wheelchair which can easily be caught by a rug.

If you use chairs with arms then it will make it easier for people with less strength to get in and out of them. They are also safer as they allow people to lower themselves onto them if necessary. Similarly placing cushions on low chairs will provide a simple and effective step for making them easier to get in and out of.

In the kitchen you can buy large handled grips for tableware will help make life easier, particularly for people with arthritis or other conditions which can reduce the strength of their grip. Similarly double handled pots and pans can be lifted without placing as much stress on the wrist joints as single handed pots. The not only means they are easier to lift but reduces the chance of spillages.

Replacing door knobs and tap handles with longer handles makes turning them easier. (Who hasn’t struggled with a stiff tap?) Similarly large handles which allow you to insert several fingers on drawers are easier than knobs or ones which only insert a small number.

Some more complex steps
You can make your bathroom safer by placing non slip tape and grab bars near the toilet and shower to help prevent slippage. In addition walk in baths and hand held showerheads make bathing far easier for people with disabilities.

For more serious mobility problems a reconditioned stairlift will provide an affordable option if you or people you live with find it hard to climb the stairs, and is safer than getting a second hand stairlift.

Wheelchair ramps come in many forms depending upon what you can afford, but an aluminium portable ramp should not only make accessing the home easier for people in wheelchairs but also help other people who might find the steps hard to manage such a people using walkers. In general it’s recommended that ramps have a slope which rises 12 inches for every foot.

The costs don’t need be prohibitive despite the initial set up. There are a variety of organizations such as The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs which offer grants so as to allow people with disabilities to afford technology to allow them to do tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.

Author Bio
This is a guest post by Daniel Frank, a UK blogger who is interested in disability issues. He is currently writing on behalf of Stannah Stairlifts who provide a range of products including reconditioned stairlifts

 …and How to Stay Warm While You Wait!

If you are not a DYI guru, call a heating expert

Inevitably, the heating system in your home won’t fail on a crisp, October morning, but on the coldest, harshest day of the year! If the failure occurs in the morning on a weekday, you may be fortunate enough to have a repair professional available that day to set things right again. However, if it is evening, the weekend, or the repair businesses are busy, you may have to wait some time.

While you wait, take steps to help your home retain as much heat as possible. Leave your window coverings down and drawn. If you have south facing windows and it is a sunny day, open the blinds/curtains while those windows are in direct sun. Make sure all windows and doors are closed, and block any drafts that may be sneaking in around them.

If you use a space heater for temporary heat, make sure you heed all safety warnings and supervise children around these devices. No need to add a doctor bill on top of the repair bill. If you can, use the space heater to heat a small room, rather than a large, open area.

Rice socks are a great way to warm up your toes in bed at night. Pour plain white rice into a clean sock and firmly knot the end. Heat the sock in the microwave on high for 30-60 seconds or until the rice is very warm, but not too hot. Slip the rice sock under the covers at the foot of the bed. (A rice sock is fairly safe, but can still be very hot! Don’t put it on bare skin and please, supervise children so they don’t burn themselves!)

Now, on to getting that heating system fixed! Be sure to check that the problem isn’t something you can address without paying a costly repair bill. For example, check to see that the thermostat is set properly and that it is working properly. Consult your furnace’s operation manual. Some furnaces have a “reset” button that may solve all your problems! Or, perhaps the pilot light has gone out!

If the problem is not so easily identified and solved, it is time to bring in a heating professional. If you have not needed a HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) service in the past, you may not have anyone in mind to call. Assuming the situation is fairly urgent (as in our scenario above) you may not have much time to research. However, it is still a good idea to ask friends and relatives in the area for a recommendation.

Your local utility company may also have information about trusted heating ompanies in your area. Once you have a couple names, a quick search of online reviews will also give you an overview of your chosen companies before you call.

When you call, be sure you understand the heating contractor’s pricing and warranty policies before you agree to have them come out to your home. Trust your instincts—if a company doesn’t “feel” right based on a phone call, move on. On the other hand, if you have a great experience with a company, pass the word along, both by word-of-mouth and online. That way when a friend or neighbor is in the same boat as you, they will be more likely to find a heating company they can trust to do the repairs for them.

Signs of a Good Year

Home Improvement projects often show up high on homeowner’s list of New Year’s resolutions.  But without proper planning it’s easy to spend too much or hire a disreputable contractor.  Then the home improvement project that should bring you joy turns into a home improvement nightmare.

Here’s a list of five New Year’s resolutions that will help bring you peace and joy in the New Year:

1. I will do my research online weather I am hiring a home improvement contractor or doing it myself.

2. I will not pick the first home improvement contractor that shows up in a Google search or has the best looking website.

3. I will ask for and check at least three references.

4. I will check with the local contractor’s board or licensing agency to see if there are any complaints against the home improvement contractor AND see how it was resolved.

5. I won’t make a decision until I have attended my local home and garden show and met the home improvement contractor I am going to hire. Here is a list of the best home and garden shows in North America: http://www.hgsei.com/

Infrared vs. Traditional Saunas

Saunas and their relatives (like the Native American sweat lodge and the Japanese onsen) have been in use for thousands of years, offering health benefits and relaxation to users.  Traditional saunas are wood or electrically heated. Steam is created by pouring water over heated rocks.

In the 1900s a new type of sauna—infrared—was introduced, developed independently in Germany and Japan, promising the same (some say greater) health and relaxation benefits with the added perk of energy efficiency (infrared saunas don’t need extended “preheat” times like a traditional sauna).

This newer technology uses infrared light as its heat source. Infrared light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength longer than that of visible light. It is divided into three categories—near, mid- and far infrared—with the wavelengths in each category becoming successively longer.

Both traditional saunas and infrared saunas are designed to induce sweating, which is believed to have many health benefits. Steam saunas rely on very hot air to heat the body, so the room temperature of a traditional sauna is quite high. In an infrared sauna, long-wavelength light hitting the body is the heat source. Because of this, the air temperature inside the sauna stays cooler than a traditional sauna. In a sauna powered by far infrared light, the “heat” source stays cool to the touch!

Types of Infrared Saunas

There are three types of infrared saunas. The first resembles a traditional sauna—a structure resembling a mini-house that can be installed either indoors or outside. The second is tent, in which you sit with your head sticking out. In the third type of infrared sauna, you actually lie down in what looks like a dome or a bag.

Health Benefits of Infrared Saunas

Many health claims have been made about the use of infrared saunas. Although most claims remain unproven, there appears to be some evidence that the use of these saunas relieves pain and stiffness in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and similar conditions. They may be helpful as a complimentary treatment to patients with heart problems, mild depression, and chronic pain. However, as with many alternative/complimentary treatments, the benefit claims often become inflated and unreliable. If you are considering purchasing an infrared sauna to help with a medical condition, it is imperative that you do so in consultation with your physician.

Try Before You Buy

The simple fact is that different users will experience different results—some may find an infrared sauna a helpful tool to improve their health and relaxation, while others will not find it beneficial. Because a sauna is a significant investment, it is recommended that you first locate a spa or health club in your area that offers an infrared sauna experience. Try it out, several times if possible, before you make your final decision on whether to purchase.

Find a Reputable Infrared Sauna Dealer

Finding a reputable dealer for an infrared sauna is not unlike the process to find a good car dealer or contractor. Do your homework! Look for reviews online and talk to friends and colleagues. Talk to the spa or health club where you do your “test drive.” Look at the different types of saunas. What fits your budget, space constraints, and personal preferences?

After you’ve completed your research, make a list of potential sources and call them. Find out what their warranties and return policies are. Are they open about your various options, or do they try to push you one direction or another? How helpful are they with your questions about installation and use?

One more thing to keep in mind, depending upon the type of sauna you choose, you may need to have an electrician wire a separate plug in your home to accommodate the power needs of the unit.

An Infrared Sauna Can Provide Relaxation and Enjoyment

Carefully researched and properly installed, an infrared sauna can be a wonderful addition to your home. This updated form of a tradition that stretches back thousands of years offers a convenient path to health and relaxation.

With the arrival of December and the holiday season, most of us are pulling out the Christmas decorations and getting ready to deck out every last corner in order to ensure that our houses are “holiday ready” in every way from the last touch of tinsel to the last dusting of powdered snow. But as you think about decorating your home, now is also the perfect time to think about winterizing your home as well. Your home might be Christmas ready, but is it winter ready?

Not just Christmas ready, winter ready

According to John Schaeffer in his book Solar Living Sourcebook, the average American home is currently leaking air at a rate equivalent to having a four-foot-square hole in the wall. This means most of our homes are actually losing the majority of the heat they’re producing as it’s being produced and we aren’t even aware of it. So, regardless of whether or not we think we’ve found perhaps the greenest or most resourceful, economical way to heat our home, if we’re losing that heat unnecessarily, it’s benefiting us very little. If you’re not sure your house is as ready as it could be for the 2012 winter, here are some tips for ensuring that your home is winter ready and that your heating practices are at their optimum for conserving energy and lowering your costs.

Know Your Sources of Heat Loss
The first half of the battle in keeping your warm air in and the cold air out is to know where the air transfer is happening. Some of the most common places include: the attic, the crawl space, unused chimneys, door and window frames, electrical outlets and switches, vents, and recessed lights. Do a quick run through of these areas in your house to see if you can find any areas with leaks. If you do, you can quickly seal them off and ensure that much better insulation in your home. At the very, very least, stock up on some door draft stoppers so you can keep cold air out at the foot of all your doors.

Change Out All Furnace Filters
You’ll want to start off the winter season with clean furnace filters. As dust and debris builds up, air flow becomes restricted, increasing the energy demand needed to propel air through. The more build up, the more energy you have to use just to get the same results. Change out all furnace filters now and stock up so that you’re prepared to change them out monthly during this year’s winter season.

Reverse Your Fans
All recently built fans have both a reverse setting and a forward setting. The reverse setting is especially designed for winter. Because hot air rises and pools itself at the top of your ceiling, you want your fan pushing in reverse so that it can push the hot air back down to the ground in the surrounding air where you will actually feel it. Simply keeping hot air in your reach can make the difference between you unnecessarily turning up your thermostat in an effort to get warmer.

Check Your Thermostats
Most of us have thermostats set to higher temperatures than we really need. For starters, check your hot water thermostat. Most hot water heaters are set to 140 degrees as standard. You can very easily turn this down to 120 degrees and likely never even notice the difference as chances are good you never use water that hot (washing dishes, taking showers, etc.). You should also be able to get away with turning down your room thermostat by two degrees. Even though it’s only a couple degrees, you will save a large amount of energy over the course of the winter, and by adding a few extra layers for a couple weeks, your body will naturally adjust and acclimate to living in an environment just a touch cooler.

Take Inventory on Appliances & Light Bulbs
Energy Star Rated products will absolutely help you conserve energy and green up your home. Switching your standard fluorescent light bulbs over to carbon fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) is another quick way to save on energy used and your long term cost, as they last generally 10 times longer and use approximately 65-75% less energy than a regular light bulb. However, both CFLs and Energy Star Rated products require higher upfront cost, so it can be a good idea to simply take stock on what you have so far in your home, what improvements you could make and find out how and when you can start to make the switches.

Research Energy Companies in Your Area
Some energy companies actually have peak hours in which it costs more to use the same amount of energy. Becoming aware of these can enable you to more effectively plan when you heat your home the most, as well as when you use large appliances like dishwashers and laundry machines. Choosing to run these at hours when it is more cost effective can help keep your energy bill much lower.

Get Winterization Shopping Done
Chances are that you’ll need to do a walk-through of your house and take inventory on heating supplies like lighters, matches, furnace filters, your thermostat and even the condition of your fire extinguisher. Make sure you have everything you need to both start and quench a fire as part of your standard home winterization practices. If you burn any type of fuel like wood, pellets, natural gas, etc., now is also the prime time to make sure that your winter supply is set or at least on schedule to be taken care of.

Any Lingering Questions – Call a Professional
Finally, if you’re not feeling confident that things like your furnace or chimney are cleaned and in proper working condition, call in a professional. They can also do a walk through to check on your leaks and coach you on the best options for insulation in your home.

Enjoy a Warm Winter Ready Home
With all the preparation done, you can head into both the holiday season and the winter season ready to keep your house warm while you do your best to conserve energy and lower your bills as well. When in doubt, throw a sweater and some shoes on before you turn that thermostat up!

About the Author
Freelancer Jocelyn Anne writes for Air-n-Water and helps them develop content for their heating department related to energy savings.

Going green is all the rage these days, but there’s nothing new or trendy about spending less money on home energy needs. The latest home heating and air conditioning units, as well as water heaters, are more energy efficient than ever – helping soften the impact on the environment as well as a homeowner’s wallet.  

“Energy efficient basically means that the product can produce the same amount of comfort, or hot water, by using less energy, which also results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions,” says Brad Huff, president of Mister Quik Home Services in Indianapolis, IN. “Energy efficient choices can save families about one-third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions–without sacrificing features, style or comfort. You can save yourself and family money in lower utility costs while doing something good for the environment.”

Replace Old HVAC Systems for Instant Savings 

For example, Mr. Quik offers Trane heating and cooling systems with 96.7% efficiency. Replacing an old system with a more efficient one results in immediate energy savings.  

“The minimum system today would be an 80% system,” says Huff. “What this means is that 80% of the energy output goes to heating and cooling your home, and 20% goes out the chimney. With a 96.7% efficient system, very little energy goes to waste.”   

The higher the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating on gas heating equipment, the more efficient it is. The percentage reflects the amount of heating the equipment delivers for every fuel dollar spent.

Replacing a traditional water heater with a tankless variety is another way to reduce energy consumption in the home. While a traditional water heater heats and reheats water around the clock, a tankless water heater such as the Rinnai system, heats and delivers hot water as needed. Because the hot water is instant, there is no need to run the tap waiting for the water to warm. The result is a savings in both water and energy.  

  The new GE Hybrid water heater takes heat out of the air surrounding the water heater and, using a sealed system, injects that heat into the tank to heat the water. According to Huff, this is the first electric water heater to qualify for an Energy Star rating, an important distinction when talking about energy efficiency.  

 Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy designed to help save money and protect the environment though energy efficient products and practices. Products that contribute to significant energy savings are eligible for the Energy Star label.  

 Energy Tax Credits Help Pay for New Systems 

While more efficient products save both energy and money, they tend to cost more up front. However, consumers can take advantage of energy tax credits to help defray the cost of these systems. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allows consumers to receive a tax credit for 30% of the cost of energy efficient products, up to $1,500. This credit is available through Dec. 31, 2010.  

As a full home services company, Mr. Quik is in the unique position of not only fixing existing home heating and air systems, but recommending more efficient systems when their customer’s current systems wear out.    

It is a great opportunity for us to be able to educate our customers on the energy-saving product we offer and help them out when they are looking to upgrade or replace older equipment,” Huff says. “Our industry has seen such great strides in energy efficiency that we are able to help our customers install new energy-efficient products and help lower their utility bills.”  “In this economy, everyone can use that,” he says. “We also try to let them know about the federal and state rebates and incentives that will help them when looking to purchase new equipment.”

Originally posted 2010-03-17 09:00:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Help! I Have a Plumbing Emergency.

If you stumbled across this page because you are frantically looking for information while water is gushing into your home, there is one thing you should do before proceeding. Turn off the water!

Plumbing contractor under the sink

If you can, turn off the water directly to the offending fixture. Most toilets and sinks and even water heaters and some wash machines have a valve near where the plumbing comes through the floor that allows you to turn off the water to that fixture. If the leak is in the floor or main pipe, you’ll need to turn off the water to the entire house. Some homes have a whole-house water shut-off valve inside the house, which makes turning the water off and on easy and accessible.

If you don’t have a whole-house water shut-off valve, or the leak has occurred before the valve, you’ll need to shut off the water at the street. Most houses have a meter box sunk into the ground near the street with a rectangular metal cover. Inside this box will be the water meter and a shut-off valve—you will need a wrench to turn it.

Whew! Now that the water is off, you can focus on finding a plumbing service to fix the problem.

Finding the Right Plumber for Your Repair Job

There are plumbers that specialize in repairs and plumbers that specialize in new construction and large remodeling jobs. First let’s talk about hiring a plumber for a plumbing repair.

Though you may need to speed up the process in an emergency, there are a few steps you should take when choosing a plumber regardless of the situation. First, seek out recommendations. Friends who have recently hired a plumber, local real estate agents, and even local hardware or home improvement stores can be good sources of referrals.

Once you have a list of 3-5 plumbing companies, make some phone calls. Here are some basic questions to ask each company:
• Are you licensed/certified? Most states require this.
• Are you insured (worker’s compensation and liability)?
• Can you provide references (even in an emergency, when you might not have time to call a reference, a company’s reaction to this question can tell you something about them)?
• How long have you been in business? Quality companies have staying power.
• What guarantees/warranties do they offer on their work?

Once you’ve covered the basics, explain your plumbing problem. Ask about their pricing and billing. Each company may structure their bills slightly differently, so you need to understand what you’ll be charged for ahead of time.

Now you’ve probably figured out which company you’re leaning toward. Before you call back though, do a little background checking. If possible, contact the state licensing board, to make sure no complaints have been logged against the company. Contact the Better Business Bureau for the same reason. Also do a search online using the company’s name and “review” to see if there are any comments about them, good or bad, that might assist you as you make a choice.

Steps for Selecting a Plumbing Contractor

Maybe you don’t have an emergency or even need repairs. You need a plumber to add that new Jacuzzi tub to your bathroom, or maybe you’re putting an addition on your house. You’ll need to seek out a plumbing company that specializes in new construction and/or remodels.

Though you presumably have more time than the poor soul with water dripping from a broken pipe, the steps you’ll begin with are the same as those listed above. Get recommendations from friends and local businesses. Another good source of recommendations for a plumber for new construction and remodels are local contractors. When you contact the companies to ask about their licensing, insurance, warranties, and references, also ask about their bidding process. Make sure you won’t be charged for the company to do a bid for you.

When you do your follow-up research, contact the references provided in addition to looking for reviews and calling state licensing boards and the BBB. New construction or remodeling is a big commitment—make sure you hire someone with a good work history.
After you have received bids from 3-5 companies, look them over carefully. It is generally recommended that you throw out bids that seem unusually low or high. High bids are often submitted by contractors who have a full schedule. Low bids can indicate inexperience or can cover up hidden costs that will surprise you later. Each bid will be different and each plumber will have different recommendations regarding parts and procedures. Listen to them and decide which one seems the best fit for you.

Once you’ve selected a contractor, make sure you have agreed to everything in writing ahead of time, including completion dates, materials, permits, and inspections. Be prepared to check in to make sure everything is going to the agreed plan, especially when it comes to permits and inspections, throughout the process. Then kick back and enjoy that new Jacuzzi!